Paroxsihzem Interview

Paroxsihzem is a Black/Death band from Toronto, Canada who formed in 2007. Hellthrasher Productions is their current label but they also have releases in different formats and distribution as well from Dark Descent records, Vault of Dried Bones and Krucyator Productions too. Inspired by nuclear warfare, darkness, chaos, and negativity, Paroxsihzem has been destroying the light for eleven years now. This is an interview with Krag, the vocalist from the band.


Hello Krag and thank you for doing this interview with me for Blessed Altar Zine! What are the near future plans for Paroxsihzem?
Thanks, we've just finished playing 2 shows very close together so now we are going to lay low and focus on writing for our next full-length album and then go from there.

I see on Bandcamp, that you recently put up a previously unreleased track from 2013, titled Excavation of Despair. Is this a single release on its own or is this going to be part of a future release?
It was an old demo track that we recorded before the split with Adversarial. We were pleased with how it turned out but it won’t be part of any future releases we just wanted to release it on its own as a 1 song demo track.

Will Paroxsihzem do a tour in the future, whether for Canada, USA or elsewhere?
We plan to eventually. Most likely after our next album comes out.

Is there a main writer in the band musically or lyrically or do you all collaborate in this process?
Impugnor is the main writer for all the music and I collaborate with him on the lyrics.

Considering Paroxsihzem’s inspirations for lyrical or topic matters, are there certain main musical influences that have had a big impact on the sound or direction of Paroxshizem?
Influences come from all over the place and there are too many to name, but a few of them are Incantation, Arkhon Infaustus, Archgoat, Revenge and Morbid Angel. For lyrics inspiration

Being a musical collector myself, I tend to ask everyone this question. Which do you prefer for listening? Vinyl, CD, Cassette or digital format?
Vinyl and CD for sure.

Out of all the releases from Paroxsihzem so far, is there a release that you like the most?
I would say our newest EP, Abyss of Excruciating Vexes is my favourite Paroxsihzem release.

How do you feel about the ways and means of social media now and how information is used or conducted?
I try to use social media as little as possible and usually only for contacting people. I have mostly a negative view on it these days.

What are your main preferences in musical styles? Whether for metal or other types of music too?
Filthy death metal

Ok, in closing and thanks again Krag for your time with this interview. What inspired the creation of Paroxsihzem as a band and with the name itself too?
We found we disliked the direction of most “metal” bands in the local scene and decided to start our own project. The name Paroxysm, “a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity.” Another meaning, “a sudden recurrence or attack of disease; a sudden worsening of symptoms”. Both apply to our influences, direction and intention with the band. The spelling was slightly altered to fit our directive as well as looks more aesthetically appealing in our opinion.



Interview by: Wolven Deadsoul

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Abythic "Beneath Ancient Portals

Band: Abythic
Title: Beneath Ancient Portals
Label: Blood Harvest
Release Date: 11 May 2018
Country: Germany
Format reviewed: Digital CD quality

"Beneath Ancient Portals" is Abythic’s debut full-length release which contains eight tracks and goes a little over forty minutes in its entirety. Although Abythic is a death metal band and fairly much influenced by the old school, there are at times, quite the hints of doom here too. This can be heard on and off throughout the tracks, especially in the first track, "Prelude to Obscurity", which comes across as a bit of an intro style track as well and without any vocals present either, and in the track, "T.H.O.N." and also in the track "Depths of Oblivion" too. In these moments the listener is cast into a world of slow, heavy, sustaining, sorrowful riffs which can be accompanied by dark harmonies and sometimes eerie solos as well. The sound here reminds me a bit of the likes of Desecresy and their style of a doomy death metal that they are known for. This combination of death and doom that Abythic does, works well together while the vocals remain guttural and brutal throughout despite the pace being either slow, mid-pace or fast. The more faster tracks on this full-length are Purulent Phantasm and the track "Afterwards Behind Beyond", which presents the more aggressive attack of old school death metal styles, that is also part of this release by Abythic. Not having heard this band before, until now, has made me take a further interest and shows how variations of styles can complement each other. What you have here, is raw, heavy, doomy death metal of the old school flavour taking you down a road of obscurities and dread. Abythic "Beneath Ancient Portals", is an example of underground death metal with a unique blend and worthy of your attention! 9/10 Wolven Deadsoul  




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9/10 Epic Storm

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Cardiac Arrest - A Parallel Dimension of Despair

Band: Cardiac Arrest
Title: A Parallel Dimension of Despair
Label: Memento Mori
Release Date: April 23rd, 2018
Country:  U.S.A.
Format reviewed: CD

 Back with a new full-length and their sixth album to date, along with some past splits, Eps and demos as well, Cardiac Arrest are doing what they do best. Having discovered this band, years ago and lucky to see them live when they played in Canada a few years back, I originally heard out their past album "Cadaverous Presence" and have followed them since. The impact that album made, with its catchy, heavy riffing and reflecting on an early 1990’s influenced death metal style, had me instantly 
hooked! Now, after hearing this new release for 2018  "A Parallel Dimension of Despair", it certainly brought back more of the past influences with elements of old school death metal and grindcore and topping it all off with a superior, beefy production to go with it all too! Continuing on with their heavy, horror themed, old school death metal traditions, each track after the other, just pummels and draws one in, with a combination hooks, groove and sometimes, all out fast-blasting parts, for total head banging madness. For example, the first track titled "Immoral and Absurd" begins in an introductory style, building up upon itself as the volume and intensity increases, until a drum roll hits and all instruments let loose, driving all into a classic mid-paced tempo of death metal rage. Track five "When Murder is Justified, is an example of hooks and some slower groove parts with its very catchy beginning and heavy chugging riffs, while monstrous vocals roar over top, solidifying this death metal beast. Overall, there is not one bad or off kind of song here. All the songs are well written and cover the elements of catchy, heavy riffing, while varying tempos occur within the songs for the most part through out.
"A Parallel Dimension of Despair" by Cardiac Arrest is their best one yet and keeps traditional, old school death metal on the map to say, this is how its done! 10/10 Wolven Deadsoul





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10/10 Immortal Classic
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Void Ceremony - Foul Origins of Humanity

Band: Void Ceremony
Title: Foul Origins of Humanity
Label: Blood Harvest
Date of release: 16 February 2018
Country: U.S.A
Release Reviewed: CD

Foul Origins of Humanity is Void Ceremony’s third Ep to date and it projects a complex, progressive and raw form of metal. Having plenty of blast beats, to speed picking guitars ripping through their intricate notation and resembling a Hate Eternal style or sound at times, while the mid-range but slightly mediocre vocals keep a steady tone, when they are active within the songs, that is. There are points in the song structures where the instrumentation outweighs all else with various buildups and breakdowns and melodic solos here and there as well. It gives the impression that the song writing is more about the music then the necessity to have vocals every where. This tends to show the band’s complexity and focus and furthermore with their playing and writing style, which is on the more technical/progressive side of things, yet still holds a sense of catchiness and rawness. Although this EP is only three songs and about fifteen minutes in total length, instrumentally, it tears through like whirl wind of destruction, through its progressive and brutal form of death metal. However, even though the vocals are not the main focus with this, they do seem to lack a bit in the overall output power and are definitely second to the music. Despite Eps becoming more common now, a future LP from Void Ceremony would be nice to see as well. 7.5/10 Wolven Deadsoul

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7/10 – Victory is possible

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Strangle Wire - The Dark Triad

Band: Strangle Wire
Title: The Dark Triad
Label: Grindscene Records
Date: 23 March 2018
Country: Northern Ireland
Format reviewed: CD-quality digital

Strangle Wire are relatively a new four-piece band that began in 2017. With an earlier single release and now a new EP, they are pushing forth their predominately American influenced death metal to the world. Taking heavy influences of the likes of Cannibal Corpse and Deicide, this crisp and very punchy EP pounds out the songs to the listener. Hard-hitting snare hits ring out with heavy double kicks, accompanied by guttural style vocals and crunchy guitars going to varying fast and slow tempos with a fair sense of groove being present here and there as well. American influences can be heard for the most part through out this and even though this brand of death metal is not new by far, its how it’s done and presented that matters. The Dark Triad EP has a strong sense of traditional death metal which is certainly offered here in a fairly clear, straight forward package. All together, this has a strong production presence and plenty of aggression but perhaps a bit more rawness or grittiness in the overall sound would push the boundaries a bit further. None the less, Strangle Wire present us with a solid beginning. 8/10 Wolven Deadsoul


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8/10 To Greatness and glory!

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Shambles - Primitive Death Trance

Band: Shambles
Title: Primitive Death Trance
Label: Blood Harvest Records
Date: 5 March 2018
Country: Thailand

Shambles have been active since 1997 and have over four demos, two splits, a full length, a compilation and two Ep’s. There newest release is an EP titled Primitive Death Trance which was originally released in late December 2017 and has been recently released on 12” vinyl too. Having a combination of a death and doomy style of metal, while projecting a very dirty distorted sound, this EP carries one into the gloomy depths as well as the extreme. Open notes, tremolo picking and sustaining chords ring out, holding sway in the overall mix level, accompanied by deep monstrous vocals and drums that are present but sound a bit quiet and in the distance. For the most part, there seems to be two tempos used here, that go from a slower beat carrying all instruments through a slow drone-like haze that picks up only slightly at times, along with some variations from the beats within these parts as well. Then suddenly, all out breaks out, almost in an instant, where everything kicks into overdrive going full tilt in aggression and speed, taking this dirge drone-like tone that Shambles have to another level, where all sounds like a giant swarm of something flying over head for the attack. Primitive Death Trance, as the title for this EP lives up to its name in the concept sense and doomy overtones that are quite present here all together, yet in some ways lacks a bit of definition in the final music presentation. Even though, this is not necessarily a bad thing, perhaps it depends on what one goes for, for the final effect or a production sense. 7/10 Wolven Deadsoul


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7/10 – Victory is possible

Goatkraft - Angel Slaughter

Band: Goatkraft
Title: Angel Slaughter
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Release date: 9 March 2018
Country: Norway

Forming in 2017 and hailing from Norway, Goatkraft has one demo and a new EP titled Angel Slaughter. This contains six tracks of raw, unrelenting rage that pounds all into the ground. Featuring, an eerie intro of cryptic voices surrounded by wind, feedback and other sporadic instrumentations happening, also included as one of the tracks on this EP, is a Black Witchery cover. For the most part, other than song beginnings or endings, this whirlwind of black/death continues its blasting inferno from start to finish. With simplistic riffing, that is straightforward and to the point, this is not about complexity or melody but more like a full out attack! Along with the fast pummeling of the drums, there is a heavy undertone here which is enforced by the low growl of the bass, followed by fast power chord riffing of the guitars, slicing their path. Vocal assaults lash out, in a fusion of gruff and guttural combined with mid growls and screams too. Covering all areas of extremity and infused in a darkened rage, the Angel Slaughter EP takes you into a blasphemous world where annihilation and war reign supreme. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Ossuarium - Calcified Trophies of Violence

Band: Ossuarium
Title: Calcified Trophies of Violence
Label: Blood Harvest
Release Date: 16 February 2018
Country: U.S.A.

Ossuarium are an American death metal band that have been active since 2016. They originally and independently released their debut demo titled Calcified Trophies of Violence as a limited-edition cassette in November 2017. Then later in February 2018, the demo was pressed again as a limited-edition cassette by Blood Harvest. A CD version will also be available later in April 2018.
Bringing out the raw and dirty analogue sounds of when cassettes and 7” records were both the standard of the late 80’s and early 90’s era for underground death metal bands, this is like a trip down memory lane. With heavy chugging riffs and doomy sustaining chords of the old school nature and sound, accompanied by reverb effected vocals in the mid-range area, to varying drum beat tempos ranging from sludgy slow, to mid-paced and occasional older, influenced-style blast beats, Ossuarium have a sound and presence similar to older Incantation. Containing three tracks and going a hair over sixteen minutes in length, along with classic cover art showing the imagery of gore, death and despair, this EP takes us back in time with its sound and presentation even though it is a new release. This is a great example of how three tracks can make their mark and their name known as a solid introduction for a band. The question is, when will Ossuarium have more for us? 9.5/10 By Wolven Deadsoul


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Anialator "Rise to Supremacy"

Band: Anialator
Title: Rise to Supremacy
Label: Xtreem Music
Date: February 7, 2018
Country: U.S.A.

Having formed originally in 1986 and going until 1989, along with some member changes and later reforming again in 2015, Anialator has two demos, two compilations and three EPs to date. From 1990 on wards, the band name was changed to Sufferance instead, which went on as a band into the later 90’s. Now reformed and under the name Anialator once again, with a new EP titled, Rise to Supremacy, Anialator have moved forward with a new quality thrash offering with a punchier modern upgrade. Keeping with traditional thrash influences and being well versed in their time as a band from mid 1980’s on wards, we are listening to a great reflection of the past brought into a modern sound which makes for a new impact for the underground. Catchy guitar rhythms and verses hold sway in this EP, with occasional melodic solos and delaying whammy dives attacking away. Big sounding drums within the mix flow from slower to faster tempos, applying solid kick drums to all variations within the song structures, followed by a snappy snare, keeping all at point. Mid high to higher range vocals scream out, reciting the words of annihilation, adding to the dimension of this thrash madness. Rise to Supremacy, keeps a strong traditional sense of this type of metal alive and well. Anialator, thirty-two years after originally forming, have now given the world an update, together with a modern production of who they are and what this is thrash metal beast is about. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Defenestration "Gutter Perdition"

Band: Defenestration
Title: Gutter Perdition
Label: XenoKorp
Date: February 9, 2018
Country: France

Forming in 2014, Defenestration are a four-piece death metal band from France who have a demo (Ordinary Violence) and a new EP titled Gutter Perdition.
This five-track release features some crunchy guitar tones accompanied by guttural vocals and superb drumming which all together, adds to the fury of this American influenced EP. Palm muted, chugging guitar riffs can be heard at times in both the fast parts and the slower heavy groove parts of the songs, along with fast speed picking and harmonies with occasional breaks where a rumbling trebly bass comes through revealing its snarl. With the type of low guttural vocals applied, to the break downs within the song structures and the tempos used with the drumming techniques, there is a fair comparison and feel of the likes of Cannibal Corpse and maybe a touch of Vader as well. Overall, this has a great combination of old school and brutal death metal that keeps a strong sense of rhythm and catchiness throughout. It will be interesting to hear more from Defenestration and what they will offer us in the future. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul


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Cryptivore"Unseen Divinity"

Band: Cryptivore
Title: Unseen Divinity
Label: Blood Harvest
Release Date: 26 February, 2018
Country: Australia

Cryptivore began in 2015 as a one-man band from Australia fronted by Chris Anning, handling all. Unseen Divinity was originally an independent CD demo debut from the band but has now been released as a limited-edition cassette on Blood Harvest records.
Containing seven tracks of old school grinding death metal and totalling a hair over 13.5 minutes in length, this release flies by fast! Reminding me, a bit of the sounds and influences of the early Carcass albums, this has a raw presentation and feel, yet is distinctive, combining the elements of death metal and grindcore. With low guttural vocals and sometimes higher vocal trade offs in parts, this flows with crunchy guitars belting out catchy riffs and harmonies and melodic leads too. From fast speed picking segments, usually accompanied by either mid-paced to fast drumming, along with heavy chugging chords bringing out the old school riffing of slower tempos with heavy rhythms, Cryptivore have an all around, classic old school sound. This is something you would almost expect to hear in the late 80’s to early 90’s era on tape or vinyl. Keeping traditional elements of death metal alive and to say that old habits never die either, is all right here in seven tracks that do go by fairly quickly, but keep you playing this again and again. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul


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Rotheads "Sewer Fiends"

Band: Rotheads
Title: Sewer Fiends
Label: Memento Mori
Release Date: January 22, 2018
Country: Romania

Hailing from Romania and forming in 2014, Rotheads have an EP (Unfazed by Death) and of recent, a new full-length release titled Sewer Fiends.
This seven track release features songs that range from a little over three minutes to up to almost eleven minutes in length. Hearing this band out for the first time and honestly listening to their new debut full-length many more times as well, I got more familiarized with Rotheads and their recent release. Sewer Fiends seems to utilize the classic styles and types of old school death metal and thrash combined with their added in dynamics, emphasizing on catchy rhythms, leads and harmonic soloing. There is not only a sense of heaviness and familiar territory here but also an eerie atmosphere that is created out of that combination together. With prominently delayed and reverberated effects that hold sway in various leads and solos and are generally well heard in the mix, it tends to add to the dark and creepy story behind Sewer Fiends. This is especially demonstrated at the beginnings and through out parts in track 4 (Psychic Leech) and with the longest track on this, being track 6 (The Mad Oracle of Seweropolis) too. Overall, a certain crispy, clear sound presence is captured and while the rawness is present but not overly done either, it is more in the guitar tones and with the style of low to mid range growling vocals applied. The bass tone here is fairly clean sounding yet it carries a lot of bottom end EQ, helping push the heaviness in the entire sound. While there are familiar styles and combinations that are present here, there are unique ways upon how all this is put together too which makes it stand out. Is this for better or worse or a preference thing on what a person wants more or less of…? Possibly, yet opinions and preferences can always differ of course but to me if it works, if it draws you in and provides that sense of darkness you long for, then so be it! 8.5/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Anarchos "Invocation of Moribund Spirits"

Band: Anarchos
Title: Invocation of Moribund Spirits
Label: Blood Harvest
Date: January 19, 2018
Country: Netherlands

Beginning in 2010, Anarchos have a demo, an EP, a full length and are also part of a five-way split CD that came out soon after their recent full-length release.
Anarchos crank out a raw form of death metal that paints a picture like an H.P. Lovecraft scene being led by some horrific, giant, slimy monster covered in tentacles with roaring chainsaws attached. This all begins with the track called Far Beyond Infinity, which hits fast right away, going full out and reminding me of the death metal sound of the early 1990’s Swedish styles like Entombed and Dismember. Other songs, like track four titled Through Whom They Crawl, begins in a slow and heavier doomy sense before it picks up by the steady hits of the double kicks, making all instruments flow in a mid-paced driving force remnant of a Bolt Thrower like sound. Through out this release, one can hear the use of heavy buzz saw chords and crunchy riffing together with melodic harmonies, accompanied by solid drumming of varying tempos that follow suit of older school traditions, along with sporadic eerie solos making their presence known and completing all with low growling demon-like vocals from out of an asylum. Keeping with old school traditions and with subject matters of rot, decay and occult based themes, this is what is on the menu here! This is not about being pretty or happy but about rawness and aggression to the very depths of unlight in some cryptic realm. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Faceless Burial "Grotesque Miscreation"

Band: Faceless Burial
Title: Grotesque Miscreation
Label: Blood Harvest / Iron Lung Records
Date: January 19, 2018
Country: Australia

Faceless Burial is a three-piece Australian Black/Death metal band, so far having released a demo from 2015 and a debut full length release from later 2017 titled Grotesque Miscreation. This was originally put out on vinyl in September 2017 and later on CD in December 2017.
After listening to this 10-track release, I didn’t hear the connection of this band being labeled as Black/Death metal but more of the later Death metal category, for the most part. There is a prominent tone throughout this release that carries this low, heavy, sizzling sound which both the guitars and the distorted bass bring out, reminding me of some of the older releases from Autopsy. This bottom end raw sound, along with mid-range vocals containing heavy growls and screams, to the songwriting style tends to give an impression of the old school death metal sound of the late 80’s era, but in a modern production form. With the drums as well, there is a very analogue presence, where all is acknowledged sound wise, yet is not overly bright or clickety either like some modern productions are; these tend to have either been overly triggered or are overdone with effects, losing the natural sounds of the instrument itself. This can all be a matter of opinion or preference or in relation to varying musical styles, of course, but I feel what we have here is respected references from the past that have been brought up to date. Grotesque Miscreation by Faceless Burial puts forth a sense of traditional death metal that has a unique raw sound combined with catchy heavy riffing exposing all to the bone and holding nothing back. 8/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Interview: Humanity’s End

Interview: Humanity’s End

Humanity’s End are death metal band from the USA that formed in 2017. With catchy heavy riffing of the old school nature fueled by HM-2 buzz saw guitars on full, accompanied by deep growly vocals and traditional drumming for this 90’s influenced genre, these guys have recently released their debut and independent EP titled, “Between Life and Death.”


1/ Hi Guys and thank you for the interview! Congrats on the new release by the way! Having recently discovered your band through a link online, the new EP got my attention right away and being a big fan of the OSDM already, I really liked what I heard! How has the feedback and response been since the release of “Between Life and Death?”
Hello, Thank you. It has been great given the fact that we did not release any demos or have an online presence until just a few weeks before the CD was released (this was done intentionally) so given that fact the response has been great, people have been liking it and more people are checking it out each week.

2/ What inspired choosing the band name, “Humanity’s End?”
There is a famous quote from Chief Seattle “Once the last river has been poisoned, the last tree cut down and the last fish caught will man realize money can not be eaten”. We are rapidly approaching this point in time and it's not looking good for humanity’s future. Also, go to http://www.worldometers.info/ and look at the live tracking, it predicts that there are 16,582 days until the end of oil is reached. That is only 45 years away. If that number is true it will be the end of life as we know it and there will be no place to hide. Between those things and the current political climate of the world with endless wars, nuclear threats, rapid extinction of animals, the death of coral reef, chemtrails, Fukushima Daiichi still leaking, earthquakes, flooding, wildfires, and Hurricanes it seems like it will soon be Humanity’s End. Anyone wishing to learn what is really happening needs to check out the book “Forsaken Earth: The ongoing Mass Extinction” by Paul Sequoia Rauch”. His book was an inspiration to the band name.

3/ What would you say are your biggest music influences overall?
80’s Thrash and Death, bands like Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Sodom, Celtic Frost, Bathory and the whole HM-2 movement with Entombed, Carnage, Dismember, and Grave.

4/ Being a two-piece band, how does the writing process usually work for you guys?
I (Jay) do all the writing so the process is very simple. It’s just me in my underwear in my home studio writing and arranging things late at night.

5/ I noticed that not only did Jay (Vocals & HM-2 Pedals) record, mix and master this EP for Humanity’s End but he also has an on-going band called Effigy that began in 1992 which has a few releases out. From recording and your work in Effigy (Jay), what got yourself and Jessie together to form and start working on Humanity’s End as a band?
Jesse and I have known each other for 20+ years going back to our days of playing in Hardcore bands in Detroit so it was just a matter of a phone call to get a project going and the songs were already written and neither of us were busy so it was an easy deal.

6/ What are the future plans for Humanity’s End?
We will be working on a full length. We do have a rehearsal space in Livonia where we have jammed but we are a long-distance project band so we are not planning on doing shows at this time but who knows what the future holds.

7/ Do you have a favorite or preferred format for music such as cassette, vinyl, CD or digital?
I’m big on CD and Jesse is all about vinyl and buys it regularly. I think vinyl is a timeless format that will always be desired and collected and I love that fact that it’s bigger and the cover art can be appreciated in its full-size glory with more photos and easier to see/read compared to other formats. Digital download is great too because you don’t have any pressing or shipping costs to make up so you can sell the product cheaper and more people have access to it via the net. Because of these things our digital album is a whopping $2 on Bandcamp!

8/ Besides death metal or metal, in general, are there other types of music you like, listen to or even consider to be another type of influence?
I wouldn’t say these things are an influence to what Humanity’s End is doing but Oh yes, Jesse loves Grim Reaper, Bobby Rock, Mastodon, Sleep, Pentagram, The Mentors, The Sword, Elvis and Terry Bozzio and I have another project with 4 releases called Tribe 3. It’s all meditative type stuff with tribal drums, Didgeridoo, and African percussion, it’s more for the Burningman type of crowd or someone who wants to meditate or trance out https://tribe3.bandcamp.com/album/giants-of-another-world

9/ What is your opinion on revivalism of old school death metal that originally began in the later 80’s to early 90’s era that was almost or around 30 years ago now, yet there are many new or younger people in bands today that are doing this?
They said metal was dead back when grunge was gaining popularity, well look at it now! I think it’s amazing that younger generations are into the older death and thrash that we came up with and that it has influenced them like it did to us old timers when we were teens. You have amazing bands like Gatecreeper, Power Trip Warbringer and Nails out there carrying the torch and killing it along with more obscure bands like Boethiah, and Gravestone. It’s great to see. I can spend hours online finding new bands, it's insane.

10/ If you had the power to change anything in this world for whatever the reason, choice, cause or belief, what would that one main thing be and why?
Oh Boy, this is a tough one. I know you said only one thing but short from just wiping out the entire planet for a do-over I would change so many things, first off, I would de-invent smart phones. These matrix leashes would all vanish and instantly people would be able to live fuller lives and be in the moment again instead of constantly being jacked in looking at unimportant mindless things while life passes by, these devices have created such a disconnect that the American Medical Association has named a new disorder called cell phone separation anxiety disorder. And for the record I do not own one. How about we look at what other countries have done and adopt the good. Here are some examples:

• No electricity bills; electricity is free … for all citizens.
• No interest on loans, banks are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.
• If you are employed after graduation, the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.
• If you want to take up a farming career, you receive farmland, a house, equipment, seed and livestock to kick start your farm –
• A home considered a human right.
• All newlyweds receive US$ 50,000 to buy their first apartment so to help start a family.
• A portion of oil sales is credited directly to the bank accounts of all citizens.
• A mother who gives birth to a child would receive US $5,000.
• When you buy a car, the government would subsidize 50% of the price.
• Education and medical treatments are free. All people have access to doctors, hospitals, clinics and medicines, completely free of charge.

All politics aside that is a list of things that were done in Libya of all places so I have to ask, if these things have been done why aren’t we all doing them globally? Things could be much better for all of humanity.



Interview by: Wolven Deadsoul

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Boethiah "Invocation of the Xenolith"

Band: Boethiah
Title: Invocation of the Xenolith
Label: Independent
Release Date: January 12, 2018
Country: U.S.A.

Boethiah began in 2012 and have taken their name in reference from the Elder Scrolls fantasy game from a violent warrior demon who enjoys battle and conflict. They have two previous Eps (Agents of Dawn (2014) & Boethiah (2017)) and now a new 2018 full length titled, “Invocation of the Xenolith”.  Upon listening to this new independent release, there is the apparent old school death metal influence of the prime early 1990’s sound that leans hard into the Swedish styles resembling old Entombed & Dismember that is very evident here. Combining heaviness, simplicity and melody while featuring the classic ripping buzz saw guitars with heavy chords, complimented with eerie melodic harmonies and occasional solos followed by deep growling vocals which remain on a heavy tone for the most part through out and of course with the solid organic drumming keeping all together very nicely. This release seems to capture the best of both worlds with not only the raw sounds of the instruments themselves but also with the overall production which is very audible with all instruments including the vocals having their distinct place that comes through very well with a sense of clarity despite the nature of this type of heavy death metal that Boethiah are doing. Even though its hard not to say that this release is on the band wagon of the old school revival in relation to Swedish death metal worship of the 1990’s, it certainly captures the best from that era bringing it into a modern production sound that is quite comparable to up to date signed band releases and if not better than some already out there too. 9/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Hellish God "The Evil Emanations"

Band: Hellish God
Title: The Evil Emanations
Label: Everlasting Spew Records
Release Date: January 8, 2018
Country: Italy

Hailing from Italy, Hellish God began in 2015. They have a previous EP titled, “Impure Spiritual Forces” from 2016 and now a new full length for 2018 titled, “The Evil Emanations.”
This release comes across as an older style of death metal with a modern production which has some American influences of the likes of older Deicide but also in relation to the styles of death metal like Krisiun and Sinister do as well. With a strong approach and fast changing guitar riffing and their use of speed picking, to crunchy palm muting, to choppy fast chord strikes, to swift harmonic screeching solos that appear here and there and added mid range growly vocals with occasional demonic screams ringing out, all these things combined together enforce this style of death metal that Hellish God are doing here. The militant-like drumming combines variations, from building up the intensity like at the beginning of the track called, “Qlipoth” or with small bursts of fast beats with quick drum rolls hitting in sequences, to occasional mid-paced traditional drumming parts reflecting on the older school styles or where all is going full out in total speed and aggression, pounding away and letting this raging occult inspired beast out of its domain upon us all.
“The Evil Emanations” is an intense angry and brutal offering making its stand in the long line of many death metal bands of today. Originality is never an easy task for anyone as like most bands Hellish God has its influences for certain. However, the difference is if something is more convincing or believable in its approach, then that’s what makes it stand out compared to others and I believe Hellish God are doing just that! 8/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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Wolven Deadsoul - Top 10

1
Band: Sinister
Album: Syncretism
Genre: Death metal
Country: Netherlands
Label: Massacre Records
Youtube

2
Band: Cruciamentum
Album: Paradise Envenomed
Genre: Death metal
Country: U.K.
Label: Profound Lore
Bandcamp

3
Band: Horrid
Album: Beyond the Dark Border
Genre: Death metal
Country: Italy
Label: Dunkelheit Produktionen
Bandcamp

4
Band: Verthebral
Album: Regeneration
Genre: Death metal
Country: Paraguay
Label: Satanath Records
Bandcamp

5
Band: Crypts of Despair
Album: The Stench of the Earth
Genre: Death metal
Country: Lithuania
Label: Testimony Records
Bandcamp

6
Band: Incinerator
Album: Stench of Distress
Genre: Death metal
Country: Netherlands
Label: Raw Skull Recordz
Bandcamp

7
Band: Nihil Eyes
Album: Black Path
Genre: Death metal / Grindcore
Country: U.K.
Label: Independent
Bandcamp

8
Band: Savage Annihilation
Album: Quand S’abaisse la Croix du Blasphème
Genre: Death metal
Country: France
Label: Xenokorp
Bandcamp

9
Band: Come Back From the Dead
Album: Caro Data Vermibus
Genre: Death metal
Country: Spain
Label: Mono Canibal / Transcending Obscurity Records
Bandcamp

10
Band: Gravestone
Album: Rotten Kill
Genre: Death metal
Country: Sweden
Label: Raw Skull Recordz
Bandcamp

Interview: Cruciamentum

Cruciamentum is a death metal band from the U.K. who formed in 2007 and are on Profound Lore Records. Having seen them live recently on their Canadian tour they are by far not your regular death metal band by any means and tend to have a blackened nature within their sound and style. Their latest release is an EP titled, “Paradise Envenomed” which features an Absu cover as well.

1/ Hi Guys, thank you for the interview! It was great to see you live on your Canadian tour! Overall, how was the Canadian tour and your time spent here?
D.L.: On the whole it was a positive experience. The turn outs were good, the organisation from Metal Apocalypse was outstanding and most of the promoters were extremely well organised and gracious hosts. Thantifaxath were excellent every night and were also the best of company.

2/ Do you think you will do a USA tour or else where in the future as well?
D.L.: As long as conditions are met we will play wherever anyone asks us to.

3/ What are the immediate future plans for Cruciamentum now that you have finished the Canadian tour?
D.L.: We plan to lay low for a while now and finish writing our second album which we hope to start recording mid/late 2018.

4/ Since the release of the new EP (Paradise Envenomed), how has the response been for this?
D.L.: I don’t really bother to read many reviews of our own stuff, but what I’ve heard has been good. The 7” sold out less than two weeks after its release, so I think that speaks for itself.

5/ With that last two releases on Profound Lore Records (Charnel Passages/Paradise Envenomed), how has it been working with them so far as a label?
D.L.: We’ve nothing but good things to say about Profound Lore. Initially we were nervous, I had vowed to stay with Nuclear Winter Records as I felt that was a perfect home for us but when that label folded, Profound Lore seemed like the only other option as we had been friends with Chris for many years. It’s important to me to have a good relationship with a label, to correspond as friends rather than as a boss and employee, and in Profound Lore I feel we found the best possible home for the band.

6/ How would you describe the metal scene presently in the U.K. for the most part?
D.L.: I would recommend that people check out Vacivus and Necromaniac. Indesinence (RIP) was also to me one of the most under-rated bands ever, extremely innovative and great composers. For the most part though – we couldn’t care less about “the scene”. There’s nothing here for us.

7/ What would you say are your biggest influences both musically and topic matter wise?
D.L.: Musically our influences are wide – in terms of metal it would be bands such as Immolation, Morbid Angel, Incantation, Shub Niggurath, Disembowelment, Demigod, Absu, Slayer etc. But equally we are influenced by the music outside of metal that we listen to – dark ambient, 70s progressive rock, goth, hardcore etc. We’re inspired in some way by everything we listen to. We approach song writing with the idea that if something fits the atmosphere we’re trying to convey then by all means use it. That said, it’s still important however to keep our experimentation within the boundaries of death metal, it needs to be heavy and dark above all else!
Lyrically and conceptually influences are harder to explain. Death and existentialism are the loose core concepts around which Cruciamentum’s lyrics are centred. They’re explored in relatively abstract ways, often influenced by different states of consciousness. I don’t want to explain the lyrics too much though; I prefer to keep some of the mystery and let the listener draw their own conclusions.

8/ For your song writing process, do you all contribute to the music or otherwise have a certain method you use?
D.L.: With each release the writing has been more collaborative. Paradise Envenomed and the upcoming album are by far the most balanced band effort yet. There’s no particular method though, if something works, we use it.

9/ After seeing you live for the first time, I felt things were presented very well and together on stage. With the new line up change and new member Jordi on the drums, how has this been as a change for Cruciamentum?
D.L.: Actually, we also have a new bassist. R.B. – our former bassist now plays lead guitar and shares vocal duties with me. I personally think with the new line-up we’re the strongest and most confident we’ve ever been. We’ve made massive improvement in our live performance and writing has become easier and less restricted.

10/ In closing, do you all have a preferred medium for your music or music in general for listening as in vinyl, CD, Cassette or digital format?
D.L.:  Vinyl and CD for me. Cassettes have always been “the demo format” for me.


Interview by: Wolven Deadsoul

Notes: For more info, access to their music online and merch please check out these links provided.

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Satanic "Architecture of Chaos"

Band: Satanic
Title: Architecture of Chaos
Label: Independent
Release date: December 10, 2016
Country: Canada

Satanic formed in 2016 and “Architecture of Chaos” is their debut release. This was first released independently and later by Brutal Records as a limited release on CD. Previously to the name “Satanic”, from 2010 to earlier 2016 they were known as the “Satanic Glue Sniffers” which have a demo and two independent releases. “Architecture of Chaos” comes across in a very classic manner like it was from some where in the prime 80’s era when thrash and earlier forms of death metal were getting more exposed to the world. Now almost thirty years later since those days, with a modern production this strong offering carries its share of influences of that time like in relation to bands like older Slayer, Razor and Death and many others for sure. Predominately, this recording is strongly led by the guitars with their crunchy aggressive tone while keeping things very full sounding. Melodic guitar leads can also be heard at different points through out the songs which compliment the rhythm parts well as a heavy clean sounding bass keeps a steady pace with its place in the mix while adding to the fullness of it all along with the guitars. Vocally, we have a growl-like voice and screams that have a bit of similarity to Max Cavalera in the older Sepultura albums. The drums here keep with tradition in older thrash and old school death metal styles while the timing ranges from slow, to mid pace to the faster hard-core beats at maximum speed as the kick drums vary while using single hits, to triplets and double bass hits depending on the timing or part within the songs. All in all, “Architecture of Chaos” is a very strong and full sounding presentation with thrash being the prime influence here but is not necessarily limited to either. I believe Satanic are heavily influenced by the older forms of metal from the 80’s era but are clearly doing what they like and want to do with it in their way. 8/10 By Wolven Deadsoul

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